Celebration of New Bedford naturalist Saturday at Brooklawn Park

NEW BEDFORD — He is credited with writing the first history of New Bedford, hosted the likes of Thoreau and Emerson and was the former owner of Brooklawn Park.

NEW BEDFORD — He is credited with writing the first history of New Bedford, hosted the likes of Thoreau and Emerson and was the former owner of Brooklawn Park.

On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the public is invited to the park to celebrate the life and contributions of Daniel Ricketson.

The inaugural Ricketson's Day "is part of a nationwide grassroots movement to discover America's parks through play with hundreds of thousands of children nationwide participating," city officials said in a news release.

The gathering will also mark the fourth annual National Kids to Parks Day.

Ricketson, a native New Bedford naturalist and former owner of Brooklawn Park, wrote the first history of New Bedford, according to the release.

He also held gatherings of notable contemporaries including Thoreau and Emerson at the "Shanty."

The Shanty was a wooden shack located a short distance from Ricketson's house at Brooklawn and served as a retreat for quiet reflection, the release said.

Activities planned at Brooklawn during Ricketson Day will include musical performances and historical talks; an original play focusing on "The Shanty"; and guided nature walks that will include the opening of a new trail system at the park.

The event will end with the Henry David Thoreau Dance Party, based on an actual event. Thoreau is said to have created a dance based on local Wampanoag dances and inspired by nature.

Sponsors are the Department of Parks Recreation & Beaches (PRB), the Brooklawn Park History Society and the Wilks Public Library Branch.